XSPECT: A Telescope/Spectrometer System on SPECTRUM RÖNTGEN GAMMA

Abstract

AbstractThe SPECTRUM RÖNTGEN-GAMMA mission is being developed by the Babakin Center (BC) together with the Space Research Institute (IKI) of the Academy of Sciences, USSR and is scheduled for launch in 1993. Mission objectives include broad and narrow band imaging spectroscopy over a wide range of energies from the EUV through gamma rays with particular emphasis on the study of extragalactic objects. The Danish Space Research Institute (DSRI) BC and IKI share the responsibility for the preparation of the XSPECT system. Two thin foil telescopes which are conical shell approximations to Wolter 1 geometry, each with an aperture of 60 cm and a focal length of 8 m, are designed to have a half-power width of less than 2 arcmin and will have collecting areas of 1700 and 1200 cm at 2 and 8 keV, respectively. Images and spectra will be recorded with position sensitive proportional counters with good spectral resolution. An objective Bragg crystal panel, placed in front of one of the telescopes, will make high resolution spectroscopic studies (E/ΔE ~103) of point- and extended sources. Other instruments are under consideration.